Journal of CardioVascular Insights
Open Access • Peer Reviewed • Quarterly Publication
Effectiveness and Clinical Relevance of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression and Lymphat ic Drainage Pump Massage Devices in Patients With 1st and 2nd Degree Lower Extremity Lymphedema: An Integrative Review and Multicenter Evaluation
Abstract
Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC), historically termed Apparative Intermittierende Kompressions therapie (AIK), is a central component of contemporary lymphedema management. This integrative review synthesizes mechanistic, historical, and therapeutic foundations of IPC with findings from a multicenter clinical evaluation using advanced multi-chamber lymphatic drainage pump systems. Among 448 patients with Stage I-II lower extremity lymphedema treated for three months, 93.08% reported reduced swelling, 86.6% reported decreased pain, and 66.51% experienced combined improvement. These results align with current evidence demonstrating IPC’s capacity to enhance lymphatic flow, reduce edema, improve microcirculation, and support venous hemodynamics Barfield et al.and Park et al.. IPC is shown to be clinically beneficial in both decongestive and long-term maintenance phases of lymphedema care.
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© 2025 The Author(s). Published by WM Journals.
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